ILOILO City – The wife of slain quarry operator Conrado “Boy” Almarza III of Barangay Cruz, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo believed her husband’s killing had something to do with their quarry business.
“Wala na sang iban nga motive,” said Annabelle Almarza.
Conrado was shot by motorcycle-riding gunmen on July 24 in Barangay Ilaud, Poblacion, Barotac Nuevo.
On the day Conrado was killed, said Annabelle, he was scheduled to attend a hearing regarding their application for a quarry permit.
According to Annabelle, a cousin was blocking their permit application though she did not categorically accuse this cousin of being behind the killing.
Conrado was shot at around 7:20 a.m. while on his way home after taking Annabelle, a teacher, and their children to school.
According to witnesses, the gunmen, both wearing ball caps, fled toward northern Iloilo after shooting Almarza.
As of this writing, the Barotac Nuevo police station had not identified the killers.
Almarza was quarrying in Barangay Cabilauan, Barotac Nuevo and had debts.
“We received information that he had unpaid debts reaching over a million pesos,” said Executive Master Sergeant Glen Purtones of the Barotac Nuevo police station./PN
